A NEW YOU: Have the courage to continue

Published 3:35 pm, Friday, July 1, 2016

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

A NEW YOU: Have the courage to continue

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

Sitting at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, there were four lepers. Because of their incurable disease, the Bible tells us, they were outcasts from society. The lepers had every reason to be negative and bitter. They were isolated, considered impure and were rejected, neglected, and probably, nobody cared what would become of them.

Are you facing what appears to be a no-win situation? Have you ever felt as though no one cared about you?

The Old Testament story continues; and as a result of the Syrian invasion, there was a severe famine in Israel. And these lepers, along with the others in the city, were starving.

It was a desperate situation. Circumstances were extremely difficult. And the lepers didn’t have much of a reason to be hopeful. But unlike the rest of Samaria, these four lepers decided to do something rather than sit at the gate and starve. They elected not to lag around in self-pity and complain about the hunger that was overtaking them. Despite all that was against them, they didn’t give up on their life.

And today, you are not going to give up on yours.

So the lepers said one to another, “Why sit we here until we die?” They reasoned together and evaluated the situation. With courage, they looked beyond their circumstance and made a positive decision. Maybe, there was the remote chance that the Syrians would give them food, they thought.

The lepers resolved to go to the camp of the Syrian army, “If they spare us, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall die” (2 Kings 7:4). Next, the four lepers acted on their decision. They arose at twilight and began walking toward the camp of Syria.

The lepers did what they could do. Then, God stepped in ... and did the rest.

“For the Lord had caused the army of the Arameans to hear a sound of chariots and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great army,” (2 Kings 7:6). It sounded like a great army was coming toward the army camp. In fear, the army ran off, “and left their tents and their horses and their donkeys, even the camp just as it was, and fled for their life.” (2 Kings 7:7)

And that ended the famine in Israel.

What problem are you facing? Is your condition worse than that of the four lepers?

Perhaps, you may have plenty of reasons to think, “My situation will never work out,” or “It’s too far gone.” But, have the courage to continue. Don’t be stagnant or go backward. It’s not too late. You haven’t missed your opportunities. So don’t fall prey to regrets, bitterness or painful memories. Be courageous. Be bold. Do not waft in doubt or fear. Hope on in faith. And believe for what is ahead.

I like this quote that a reader sent to me:

“Whenever you look back at your life, be positive.

Whenever you look at the present, be realistic.

Whenever you look to the future, be bold.”

Recently, we were looking for a car, and I noticed that some of the new vehicles have a voice-activated navigation system. Just by pushing a button that is often located right on the steering wheel, you can speak into it and say where you want to go. In the same way, say what you desire. The words of your mouth can have influence over your life and can determine your future. Words have profound authority. Thus, always speak victory, rather than defeat. Speak triumph, instead of despair. Remind yourself often, “I will overcome,” “With God all things are possible,” “I’m strong,” “I am blessed,” “Things are changing in my favor,” “I’m getting better and better,” and “A miracle is coming.”

Just as the Israelites were facing the Egyptian army on one side, and the Red Sea on the other side, God made a way for them. God will make a way for you. Put your trust in God. He will restore, He will heal, He will provide. God will do the miraculous in your life, and the result will be better than you expected. Last November, after a food drive that I coordinated for a local meal center, I took my daughters who were with me to the home of a dog breeder. This woman is a small, hobby-breeder of Chihuahuas.

I had contacted the breeder months before. And she said that she would call me when she had available puppies. So in late October, one of her Chihuahuas had six puppies; three boys and three girls. Although the puppies were only 10 days old, the breeder said we could stop by her home and see them.

As my children and I walked into her kitchen, we glanced toward the corner of the room, and the puppies were all sleeping in a playpen. At first glimpse, they looked like tiny hamsters. Lined up all in a row, their minute eyes were not even opened yet.

Quite taken with the puppies, my youngest daughter chose a sweet, sable-colored girl puppy. But there was no way to tell what her temperament would be; what she’d look like; or if she’d get along with our other animals. However, by faith, we chose her, and I gave the breeder a deposit.

Seven weeks later, on Christmas Eve, we brought the puppy home and named her Sadie. We had no idea how it would turn out. Yet, the result was better than expected.

Maybe today you are scared, uncertain and you wonder if your situation will ever get better. But like our experience with Sadie, your circumstances will turn out better than expected.

I once heard someone say, “When nothing goes right, go left!” Keep on, keeping on. There is something great in store for you. My youngest daughter is quite the artist. And she is always drawing me pictures with little captions next to her artwork. The picture she made today was a large heart that covered the entire 8-by-10 paper. Within the heart, was my name. And above the heart she wrote: “Do you know how much I love you? I can’t tell you because it’s way more than the paper.”

That is how much God loves you! It’s “way” more than the sheet of paper.

You have no idea how special you are. So let peace, hope and joy rise up in your heart. God is good, and He is with you. Have the courage to continue.